Dear Jane, it was the landscape, wasn’t it? #CailleachWitch

Oh Jane! I loved it, there was such a sense of urgency, from the opening to the finish. It was dark and moody and all the things I expected it to be. I could really visualise the landscape as it seemed to be the main character of the book, the house and the sisters second. It was captivating and now that I’m finished, I might just go for a walk to shake off the mist! Well done. Aisling.

Dear Aisling, thank you for these wonderful words. You know you can never shake off the mist. It’s a part of you, like the wind, like the mountain. This landscape, is the closest thing to me I’ve ever found. Much Love, Jane.

Cailleach~Witch is now available on Amazon, click HERE

Dear Jane, I love the vision.

Dear Jane,

This card matches your look, colours, and even the dog sits waiting for his copy. 

I read and pause, re-read certain lines like these:

‘Only the house sighed, only the light shining in moved like waves on the floor.  Still, there was comfort in it.’

I love the vision, Jane, and you saw it through in your world of curious green. 

Love, Tamara

South Carolina.

Dear Tamara,

To pick up where you left off…

‘Their world was shifting, but the seasons wouldn’t, nature wouldn’t. Spring would always follow winter, and summer after that.’

Thank you for bringing me with you as you read.

Love, Jane

Dear Jane, I don’t want it to end…

Dear Jane, it’s everything everybody’s been saying already. I don’t want it to end. And I was afraid to start it because everyone said about not wanting to put it down. So yesterday the only times I left my bedroom was twice to eat and once to check the mail for my daughter but I had a final interruption at night when I had to attend a meeting. I can’t remember the last time I sat and read a book. So this is evoking all sorts of excitement. Of going into another world. And sharing in this new family that you have created so realistically.

My daughter who had stopped by told me that she’d gotten the mail and it looked like there was a book and she left it on the couch for me and I was so disappointed I was working a second job that night that I was afraid to even touch it but I couldn’t help it. I stopped by the house to rip it open anyway and just hold it in my hands even though I knew I couldn’t open it or start turning the pages yet.

Just came back in to my room to grab the book again. The weather is perfect the time of year is perfect. Isn’t it hard to believe that these words took years to put down on paper but it takes only hours or days for us to relive and get into this other world. And feel a part of. When I read about the three sisters in strength and I just got done with the Dana Ellen part. I went back to your dedication page to count how many sisters you had and that reminded me of your three daughters and the strength your family holds together. I do see a lot of you in these words. It’s incredible. And so are you. To have this within you and to be able to share it with others.

For a long time you were always with me every morning being the first thing I got to share in… your pictures, your words, your love of color.. I’m exited for your success. excited to share in your world you created. Excited to see these words come full circle and affect so many. It’s just the beginning.

Kay. 

Pine City, Minnesota.

Dear Kay, we are separated by distance but united by words, thank you so much. It makes the world feel very small and even warm. We have the book! Can you believe it? After all this time…

With Love, Jane

Painting by Paul Emile Chabas

My novel Cailleach~Witch, a fast paced modern gothic mystery, is available on Amazon HERE

Dear Jane, I would also love to be a writer someday, like you.

Dear Jane, I would also love to be a writer someday, like you. I’m just stuck in this poor region with poor sources I love your work. Vuyiseka. I’m in South Africa in the Eastern Cape. I am a first year student doing a bachelor of arts.

Dear Vuyiseka, what do you think you need that you haven’t already got? Are you a reader? Do you already write? The wonderful thing about writing of course is it’s free. If you have the basic tools then there’s nothing to stop you. And the more you write the better you will get. You have access to the internet for information, inspiration, a platform to publish your work and start to build a community. After that if you have the will, if it’s something you really want and you’re willing to work at, then you can do it. My advice is to create a regular writing habit, if you haven’t already. Being in a poor region is not going to stop you. If anything it might help you. You will already be used to difficulty and not afraid of a challenge. Many people around the world will be interested in you, your life, your thoughts. One thing that is difficult for all writers is often those around you won’t understand. And they probably won’t support you. That’s something you have to accept from the start. But you can do it. With Love, Jane.

Thanks a lot Jane I’ll start by creating a regular writing habit. I love you.

Thank you, Vuyiseka! I believe in you and you must believe in you.  ❤

Thank you sister. ❤

Pierre Bonnard. French painter and printmaker, as well as a founding member of the Post-Impressionist group of avant-garde painters Les Nabis. 1867-1947

Dear Jane, You should have these.

Five years ago, when I was writing the first draft of my novel, a friend did a tarot reading for me from her home. She pulled three cards before laminating and sending them to me. She wrote that they were very positive cards and I should have them. I loved that she did this for me, and as I was writing the first draft of the book at the time I added them to my talisman collection.

The cards she pulled were…

The Seven of Wands – the ability to ‘hold ones own against adversaries’, victory, energy, courage.

The Nine of Cups – an assured future, wish may come true

The Magician –Originality, skill, creativity, and the representation of ‘pure willpower.’

The cards have been on my notice board ever since that day in 2013. I thought of it again this morning because this weekend she kindly reviewed my book on Amazon and because it all had came true. The bad, and ultimately, most assuredly, the good…

Take the Seven of Wands card, this is what it’s about…

Coping and Resistance · Courage · Long-term successes · Perseverance · Strength

You almost certainly have great reserves of courage, and the perseverance to see yourself through difficult times. You may not be aware you possess these qualities, but you will find yourself needing them soon. Expect conflicts, possibly small, but more likely significant. It is not certain where they will arise, but there is no doubt you possess the ability to overcome your adversaries.

Past

Despite slow progress, your determination and sustained efforts will lead you steadily forward. Do not give up.

Present

There is a great conflict approaching, but do not fear. Through courage, you will overcome this hurdle and experience a major change in your life as a result.

Future

Continue to believe in yourself. The odds may be against you but you have the power to beat them. The courage to fight on and accept challenges will lead you to a bright future.

With love and strength and power, xo Jane 

13 Signs You’re one of the Fae (The Fairies)

“Are you a witch, or are you a fairy?

Or are you the wife of Michael Cleary?” – Irish children’s rhyme

Poor Bridget Cleary, in 1895 she was burned alive by her husband in front of witnesses because they believed she was a ‘changeling’ a fairy substitute for the real Bridget, abducted by the fairies.

Changelings, puca’s, the banshee, the Tuatha de Danann (Irelands mythical race), the fae, I grew up with these, and I write about them now.

My first novel Cailleach~Witch tells the story of a family of women with special abilities or powers, such as healing, second sight, and communication with the other world. In Ireland they would be known traditionally as Bean Feasa meaning Wise Women. It’s a modern gothic story with paranormal elements. Inspired by Irish folklore, mythology, and the landscape I grew up in. 

Fairy trees and forts (Whitethorns, and any circle of trees) are protected by law in Ireland and there’s not many people would feel comfortable with damaging as much as a twig in case it would bring them bad luck. We think we don’t believe these things but superstitions run deep. This wonderful quote illustrates this quite well…

While walking in Sligo in the early 1900s, WB Yeats asked an elderly man he met on the road if he believed in fairies. “I do not,” replied the man, “What do you take me for? What kind of eejit would believe in the little people or in witches and goblins and leprechauns? Don’t be ridiculous. I do not believe in them. Not at all…” There was a pause. “But they’re there,” the man concluded…’

Our rootedness in superstition and folklore is so woven in our collective experience it is largely unconscious. I needed minimal research before writing the book and was pleasantly surprised to find support for every idea I’d included. Even with artistic license of fantasy it would make you wonder. The latent knowledge that lies inside us and might never be brought forth. Where did it come from? 

Among the characters in my novel are otherworld creatures but also humans with close ties to the otherworld. There are people with what you might call ‘the look.‘ Much like some people remind me of birds there are some I would call fairy people, a look, but also a vibe, a ‘way of going on,’ which is a definition of culture in itself is it not? My idea of what they are is almost certainly not mine at all.

Stories, imagination, popular culture and our subconscious all play a part. Check my list below, I’ve adapted it from some of my characters and from the stories of my youth. See if you are or you know a fairy woman or a man. Word to the wise, elf on the shelf it isn’t…

‘The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.’ – W.B. Yeats

13 Signs You’re One of the Fae…

  1. You’re tall and slight of build with sharp features.
  2. You have black, red, or fair hair. 
  3. You have small intense eyes.
  4. You’re ‘different’ in many ways, indefinable, eccentric, aloof.
  5. More still than quiet, with an intense quality/presence.
  6. Your favourite mode of transport is mist and your movements are both awkward and graceful.
  7. You feel more affinity with landscape and elements than people.
  8. You don’t quite fit and it shows.
  9. Lover of art, music, dance, and beauty.
  10. Free spirit.
  11. Both youthful and ancient.
  12. Lover of trees.
  13. Shy, kind, but with a cool/detached streak, possibly playful, and wise…

Does this sound like you or anyone you know?

If this is a subject that speaks to your soul you will enjoy my gothic fantasy novel Cailleach~Witch. It’s available now on Amazon. You can find it HERE And if you’ve read this far, thank you. Perhaps you’d like a FREE story, a re-telling of Rapunzel from the witches point of view. Get it HERE

~ Readers Love Cailleach~Witch (The Cleary Witches Book 1) ~

‘This is genre-bending stuff, that weaves together fantasy, fairy-tale and Gothic to deliver a fast-paced, atmospheric thriller. As with many Irish writers (e.g. John McGahern, who incidentally comes from the same county as Jane) the sense of place and tradition is very strong. The atmosphere is broody and foreboding, while the plot moves quickly, forward and backwards through time, with many unexpected twists and turns. I was reminded more than once of Daphne du Maurier, especially Jamaica Inn: Cailleach too creates a beautiful and desolate setting for love, tragedy and maybe a new beginning.’

‘A tale of magic, forbidden love and a family curse. Reading this book I was swept away to a dark mountain in the west of Ireland where the Cailleach lives. This is a beautifully told story of three sisters who must return to the home of their aunts where they have to break free from the curse of the Cailleach. An enchanting read of forbidden love, family secrets and dark magic. It was hard to put down and come back to the real world. The story had me under it’s spell right until the very end.’

‘Spellbinding, unconventional storyline spread acrossa group of strong women and across generations. Dark, light, complicated. Honestly the most refreshing story I’ve read in ages. If you like something a little different in your pot of fairytales, this is for you.’

‘This book is a spell – a spell cast with a deep understanding of humanity, its relationship to nature and to women who embody the power of difference. It is not a singular story, it is a multiple of lives woven together to compose a larger story and the author has done this weaving with great dexterity.

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What people are saying about Cailleach~Witch on Amazon…